Foldable support means



Feb. 26, 1963 J. J. RUSSELL FOLDABLE SUPPORT MEANS- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 20, 1960 lll/Vf/VT 019 .1. J. RUSSELL 3,079,167 FOLDABLE SUPPORT MEANS Feb. 26, 1963 Filed May 20, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 IA VZAZ 0 JWC'K J; FUS'S'ZZL [VITA/E 3,079,167 FQLDABLE SUPEQRT MEANS Jack J. Rumell, 3397 Forest Ave, Des Moines, Iowa Filed May 20, 196i), cr. No. 30,669 8 Claims. (Cl. 280-41) This invention relates to a foldable support means and more particularly to a table construction which is wheel supported both in its extended condition and folded condition.

Folding tables are old in the art, but most such fold able support means are fragile and furthermore are not wheel supported at all times. A further objection to wheel supported tables or the like is that herebefore there was no good way of preventing the wheels from oastering.

Therefore, one of the principal objects of my invention is to provide a leg foldable table or like support that is of an exceptionally strong and rigid structure.

A further object of this invention is to provide a leg foldable table that is easy to operate.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a folda-ble table or like that is wheel supported both in its extended and folded positions.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a wheel supported foldable table that permits the wheels to be locked against castering.

Still further objects of my invention are to provide a foldable support means that is economical in manufacture, durable in use, and refined in appearance.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangements, and combination, of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of my device illustrating how one supporting end of the same may be folded for the initial movement of the device into or onto the bed of a hauling vehicle or like;

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of my leg foldable table in a folded condition and in a vertical attitude;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the device taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and more fully illustrates its construction;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the leg structure and is taken from line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an end sectional view illustrating a modified means for locking the wheels against castering; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side sectional view of one of the wheel means being locked by the means shown in FIG. 5.

In these drawings I have used the numeral 10 to desigmate a table top preferably having a downwardly extending peripheral skirt 11, as shown in FIG. 3. The numerals 12, 13, 14 and designate four spaced apart upper leg portions, each hinged to the under side of the table top 10 and capable of swinging movement longitudinally of the table top as shown in FIG. 2. Hingedly secured to the outer end of each of the upper leg portions 12, 13, 14 and 15 is a lower leg portion 16. Each of the upper leg sections 12, 13, 14 and 15 are capable of being swung to a horizontal position on the under side of the table and extending to the center area of the table as shown in FIG. 2. Their lower leg portion 16, however, is incapable of swinging inwardly when they are extending vertically downwardly as shown in FIG. 1. This hinge action is accomplished by the upper leg portions being normally in longitudinal alignment with their lower leg portions when these upper sections are extending downwardly as shown in FIG. 1. The pivot point for locking these caster wheels against castering.

3,97%,l67 Patented Feb. 25, 1953 of each of these hinge leg connections is to the outer sides thereof as shown in FIG. 1 and, therefore, the swinging movement of the lower leg sections when it is desired to fold the table, will be in the directions of the two ends of the table, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, when the table legs are lowered, the lower leg sections 16 cannot swing inwardly relative to the table length beyond that of a vertical position. Extending between the leg sections 16 of the two upper sections 12 and 14 is a horizontal cross bar 17. A like cross bar 19 extends between the two leg sections 16 of the upper leg sections 13 and 15. The numeral 20 designates a brace bar having its upper end hingedly secured to the under side of the central area of the table top and its other end rotatably embracing the cross bar 17. The numeral 21 designates a like brace bar having one end hingedly secured to the under side central area of the table top and its other end rotatably embracing the cross bar 1?. When the table is extended for use, the brace bar 29, leg sections 12 and 14 and the lower leg sections '16 will provide a rigid triangular construction.

The brace bar 21 with the sections 13 and 15 and their leg sections 16 will form a rigid triangular structure. Obviously, the brace bars 20 and 21 will prevent each pair of lower leg sections 16 from swinging outwardly so long as the upper leg sections are maintained in vertical pos-i tions. To normally yieldingly hold each of the upper leg sections 12, 13, 14 and 15 in longitudinal alignment with their lower leg sections 16, I have provided a coil spring means 22 as shown in FIG. 4. Normally the leg sections will be constructed of tubular material permitting the placement of the coil springs 22 inside the leg sections. The springs 22 are placed opposite from that of the pivot point 23 of each leg with one end of the coil spring secured to the upper leg section and the other end of the coil spring secured to the lower leg section. This structure is shown in FIG. 4-. By the structure thus described, it is possible to independently fold each leg end unit. Each leg end unit consists of two upper leg portions, two lower leg portions, and a brace rod. To fold an end leg unit the pivot point 23 of the leg unit is forced inwardly against the action of the springs 22. This causes the lower ends of the two upper leg sections to swing inwardly and upwardly and the lower end of the two lower leg sections 16 to swing outward and upwardly. By the reverse procedure one or both of the leg units may be lowered to positions as shown in FIG. 1. When the leg sections are in folded positions the outer ends of these leg sections 16 will be near the outer ends of the table top as shown in FIG. 2. In the lower or outer end of each of the leg sections 16 I mount a caster wheel. The numeral 25 designates the pintle of the caster wheel, the numeral 26 its yoke, and the numeral 27 its wheel. Any suitable means may be used In FIGURE 1 I show the pintle of each of the caster wheels having well openings 29. The numeral 28 designates an ordinary cam lever rotatably mounted on each of the leg sections 1.6 and capable of being moved to extend through a slot in its leg section 16 and into one of the well openings 29 as shown in FIG. 1. Normally the well openings .29 are so positioned that when the caster wheel or wheels are locked, the wheels will extend longitudinally of the longitudinal length of the table top. Due to the lengths of the leg sections, when the leg units are in folded positions, the wheels 27 of these caster wheels will not only extend beyond the length of the table top but will also extend to a plane of the folded leg units as shown by broken lines in FIG. 1. When the device is unfolded and is being moved about, the caster wheels will usually be unlocked and permitted to caster with the movement of the table. After the table has been a3 properly positioned, the assist wheels may be locked against castering. Normally when the device is in folded condition all of the caster wheels will be locked but togardless of whether the table is in folded or unfolded condition, the entire device will be supported by at least some of the caster wheels. This is most advantageous in the placement of the device into a hauling vehicle or removing it from the same. The leg unit closest to the hauling vehicle 3'7 is folded as shown by broken lines in FIG. 1 and the caster wheels of that leg unit placed on the bed of the vehicle. The table is then pushed into the vehicle until it reaches the outer leg unit, at which time the outer leg unit is folded and the table then completely rolled in the hauling vehicle. This procedure is reversed when removing the device from the hauling vehicle or like. in many instances the table will support very heavy objects and this procedure of leading and unloading the device with a heavy load is quite easy. To further support the table and a heavy load when the device is in such collapsed condition, i have provided a rotatably mounted wheel 35; at each side of the center length of the table top. These small roller wheels are capable of also engaging the floor of the hauling vehicle and thus support the device while the outer leg unit is folded or lowered. Because the wheels of the casters extend beyond the ends of the table top, the folded device may be placed in a vertical position and rolled to point of vertical storage as shown in FIG. 2. As hcrebeiore indicated, other means maybe used for locking the caster wheels. In FIG. 5 I show a device that may be set to lock two wheels in one operation. In the top of each caster pintle 25 I provide a slot opening 31; The numeral 32 designates a crank rod rot-stably extending through two leg sections 16 and a cross bar. Rotatably mounted on this rod 32 and above each caster wheel pintle is a cam 33. The numeral 35 designates a coil spring secured to each of the cams 33 and the rod 32 as shown in FIG. 5. Any suitable catch means 36 may be placed on the leg sections 16 for holding the crank rod 32 in two positions of its rotation. By this construction and regardless of the positions of the caste wheels, the crank arm rod 32 may be positioned for, locking. The springs 35 will yieldingly move the cams toward the pintle slots andwhenever a caster wheel casters to the proper position, the spring will move the cam 33 into its slot thereby locking it. This locking action is shown in FIG. 6. When it is desired to unlock the caster wheels from castering, the crank rod arm 32 is rotated to the opposite position and the springs 35 will withdraw the cams from caster engagement.

From the foregoing it will readily be seen that I have provided a highly desirable rigid, wheel supported, leg foldable table structure.

Inasmuch ,as my table is capable of supporting heavy loads, it may be desirable to have a retractable leverage handle means at either or both ends. Such handle means may be of any suitable type. In the drawings I show a U-bar 48 having its two end portions slidably mounted on the under side of thetable topaud with its center section at the outer end of the table top as shown in FIG. 1. When not in use the U-bar is slid inwardly. When it is extended it may be used as a leverage grip for lifting or controlling that end of the table.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of my foldable support means without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim:

1. In a foldable supporting means, a table top, four spaced apart upper leg sections each having one end hingedly secured to said table top, a lower leg section having its upper end hingedly secured to the free end of each of saidupper leg portions; each of said upper leg sections being so hinged to its lower leg section that its lower end may be swung inwardly and upwardly and the lower end of its lower leg section may be swung outwardly and upwardly, a brace member oper-atively hingedly secured at one end to at least one of said lower leg sections and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top and a second brace member having one end operatively hingedly secured to at least one lower leg section that is longitudinally opposite from said last ment-ioned leg section and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top; each upper leg section and the lower leg section hinged to it being in a common vertical plane when said upper and lower hinged together sections are in an operative lowered and vertically extending posit-ion.

2. In a foldable supporting means, a table top, four spaced apart upper leg sections each having one end hingedly secured to said table top, a lower leg section having its upper end hinged-1y secured to the free end of each of said upper leg portions; each of said upper leg sections being so hinged to its lower leg section that its lower end may be swung inwardly and upwardly and the lower end of its lower leg section may be swung outwardly and upwardly, a brace member :operat-ively hingedly secured at one end to at least one of said lower leg sections and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top, a second brace member having one end operatively hinge-dly secured to at least one lower leg section that is longitudinally opposite from said last mentioned leg section and its other end hin-gedly secured to the central length area of said table top, and a spring associated with each upper leg section and their lower leg section for yieldingly holding each of them in longitudinal alignment with their lower leg section; each upper leg section and the lower leg section hinged to it being in a common vertical plane when said upper and lower hinged together sections are in an operative lowered and vertically extending position.

3. In a foldable supporting means, a table top, four spaced apart upper leg sections each having one end hingedly secured to said table top, a lower leg section having its upper end hingedly secured to the free end of each of said upper leg portions; each of said upper leg sections being so hinged to its lower leg section that its lower end may be swung inwardly and upwardly and the lower end of its lower leg section may be swung outwardly and upwardly, a brace member operatively hingedly secured at one end to at least one of said lower leg sections and its other end hiugedly secured to the central length area of said table top, a second brace member having one end operatively hingedly secured to at least one lower leg section that is longitudinally opposite from said last mentioned leg section and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top, and a wheel rotatably mounted on the free end of each of said lower leg sections; each upper leg section and the lower leg section hinged to it being in a common vertical plane when said upper and lower hinged together sections are in an operative lowered and vertically extending position.

4. in a foldable supporting means, a table top, four spaced apart upper leg sections each having one end hingedly secured to said table top, a lower leg section having its upper end hingedly secured to the free end of each of said upper leg portions; each of said upper leg sections being so hinged to its lower leg section that its lower end may be swung inwardly and upwardly and the lower end of its lower leg section may he swung outwardly and upwardly, a brace member operativcly hingedly secured at one end to at least one of said lower leg sections and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top, a second brace member having one end operatively hingedly secured to at least one lower leg section that is longitudinally opposite from said last mentioned leg section and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top, and a caster wheel unit rotatably mounted on the free end of each of said lower leg sections; each upper leg section and the lower leg section hinged to it being in a common vertical plane when said upper and lower hinged together sections are in an operative lowered and vertically extending position.

5. In a foldable supporting means, a table top, four spaced apart upper leg sections each having one end hingedly secured to said table top, a lower leg section having its upper end hingedly secured to the free end of each of said upper leg portions; each of said upper leg sections being so hinged to its lower leg section that its lower end may be swung inwardly and upwardly and the lower end of its lower leg section may be swung outwardly and upwardly, a brace member operatively hingedly secured at one end to at least one of said lower leg sections and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top, a second brace member having one end operatively hingedly secured to at least one lower leg section that is longitudinally opposite from said last mentioned leg section and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top, a caster wheel unit rotatably mounted on the free end of each of said lower leg sections, and a means for locking each or said caster wheel units against castering; each upper leg section and the lower leg section hinged to it being in a common vertical plane when said upper and lower hinged together sections are in an operative lowered and vertically extending position.

6. In a foldable supporting means, a table top, four spaced apart upper leg sections each having one end hingedly secured to said table top, a lower leg section having its upper end hingedly secured to the free end of each of said upper leg portions; each of said upper leg sections being so hinged to its lower leg section that its lower end may be swung inwardly and upwardly and the lower end or" its lower leg section may be swung outwardly and upwardly, a brace member operatively hingedly secured at one end to at least one of said lower leg sections and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top, a second brace member having one end operatively hingedly secured to at least one lower leg section that is longitudinally opposite from said last mentioned leg section and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top, a caster wheel unit rotatably mounted on the free end of each of said lower leg sections, and a means for locking each of said caster wheel units against castering; said caster wheel units extending beyond the ends of said table top respectively, when said leg sections are in (folded positions; each upper leg section and the lower leg section hinged to it being in a common vertical plane when said upper and lower hinged together sections are in an operative lowered and vertically extending position.

7. In a foldable supporting means, a table top, four spaced apart upper leg sections each having one end hingedly secured to said table top, a lower leg section having its upper end hingedly secured to the free end of each of said upper leg portions; each of said upper leg sections being so hinged to its lower leg section that its lower end may be swung inwardly and upwardly and the lower end of its lower leg section may be swung outwardly and upwardly, a brace member operatively hingedly secured at one end to at least one of said lower leg sections and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top, a second brace member having one end operatively hingedly secured to at least one lower leg section that is longitudinally opposite from said last mentioned leg section and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top, a caster wheel unit rotatably mounted on the free end of each of said lower leg sections, and a means for locking each of said caster wheel units against castering; said caster wheel units extending beyond and below the ends of said table top respectively, when said leg sections are in folded positions; each upper leg section and the lower leg section hinged to it being in a common vertical plane when said upper and lower hinged together sections are in an operative lowered and vertically extending position.

8. In a foldable supporting means, a table top, four spaced apart upper leg sections each having one end hingedly secured to said table top, a lower leg section having its upper end hingedly secured to the free end of each of said upper leg portions; each of said upper leg sectime being so hinged to its lower leg section that its lower end may be swung inwardly and upwardly and the lower end of its lower leg section may be swung outwardly and upwardly, a brace member operatively hingedly secured at one end to at least one of said lower leg sections and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top, a second brace member having one end operatively hingedly secured to at least one lower leg section that is longitudinally opposite from said last mentioned leg section and its other end hingedly secured to the central length area of said table top, a caster wheel unit rotatably mounted on the free end of each of said lower leg sections, a means for locking each of said caster wheel units against castering; said caster wheel units extending beyond and below the ends of said table top respectively, when said leg sections are in folded positions, and at least one wheel support rotatably mounted on the central length area of said table top; each upper leg section and the lower leg section hinged to it being in a common vertical plane when said upper and lower hinged together sections are in an operative lowered and vertically extending position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,742,566 Walker Jan. 7, 1930 1,949,099 Barman Feb. 27, 1934 2,528,872 Dick Nov. 7, 1950 2,657,963 Fox Nov. 3, 1953 2,734,726 Gebhart Feb. 14, 1956 2,780,474 Farah Feb. 5, 1957 2,877,048 Weil Mar. 10, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 393,029 Germany May 22, 1924 

1. IN A FOLDABLE SUPPORTING MEANS, A TABLE TOP, FOUR SPACED APART UPPER LEG SECTIONS EACH HAVING ONE END HINGEDLY SECURED TO SAID TABLE TOP, A LOWER LEG SECTION HAVING ITS UPPER END HINGEDLY SECURED TO THE FREE END OF EACH OF SAID UPPER LEG PORTIONS; EACH OF SAID UPPER LEG SECTIONS BEING SO HINGED TO ITS LOWER LEG SECTION THAT ITS LOWER END MAY BE SWUNG INWARDLY AND UPWARDLY AND THE LOWER END OF ITS LOWER LEG SECTION MAY BE SWUNG OUTWARDLY AND UPWARDLY, A BRACE MEMBER OPERATIVELY HINGEDLY SECURED AT ONE END TO AT LEAST ONE OF SAID LOWER LEG SECTIONS AND ITS OTHER END HINGEDLY SECURED TO THE CENTRAL LENGTH AREA OF SAID TABLE TOP AND A SECOND BRACE MEMBER HAVING ONE END OPERATIVELY HINGEDLY SECURED TO AT LEAST ONE LOWER LEG SECTION THAT IS LONGITUDINALLY OPPOSITE FROM SAID LAST MENTIONED LEG SECTION AND ITS OTHER END HINGEDLY SECURED TO THE CENTRAL LENGTH AREA OF SAID TABLE TOP; EACH UPPER LEG SECTION AND THE LOWER LEG SECTION HINGED TO IT BEING IN A COMMON VERTICAL PLANE WHEN SAID UPPER AND LOWER HINGED TOGETHER SECTIONS ARE IN AN OPERATIVE LOWERED AND VERTICALLY EXTENDING POSITION. 